Category: Business & Markets

Construction on new homes in the U.S., known as housing starts, jumped almost 10% in January to an annual rate of 1.33 million. That’s the second highest level since the Great Recession and it easily exceeded the 1.24 million forecast of economists. Permits to build new homes also hit a 10 1/2-year high, rising 7.4%

The import price index leaped 1% in January to add to a picture of rising inflation in the United States. Although the increase was driven by oil, prices rose for a variety of goods such as German cars, French cheese and Italian wine. Excluding fuel, import prices rose a sharp 0.4%, the government said. That’s

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 7,000 to a seasonally adjusted 230,000 for the week ended Feb. 10, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims for the prior week were revised to show 2,000 more applications received than previously reported. Claims fell to 216,000 in mid-January, which was the lowest level since January 1973.

Sales at U.S. retailers fell by 0.3% in January — the biggest drop in almost a year — largely because of declines at auto dealers and home centers. And a previously reported increase in sales in December was wiped out. Economists had forecast a 0.2% increase in sales. Excluding autos, retail sales were flat last

The consumer price index leaped 0.5% in January to mark the biggest increase in five months. The cost of rent, clothes, gasoline, health care and auto insurance all rose. Economists surveyed had forecast a 0.4% increase. Higher consumer prices in January, however, did not substantially alter the overall picture on inflation. The increase in the

Initial U.S. jobless claims fell by 9,000 to 221,000 in the seven days ended Feb 3. Economists surveyed forecast a 235,000 reading. The more stable monthly average of claims declined by 10,000 to 224,500, the government said Thursday. That’s the lowest level since March 1973. The number of people already collecting unemployment benefits, known as

The U.S. trade deficit in December and for the full year both rose to the highest levels since 2008, complicating efforts by President Trump to fulfill his vow to reduce the gap. The deficit in December rose 5.3% to a $53.1 billion, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. Economists polled had forecast a $52.2 billion gap.

The U.S. created 200,000 new jobs in the first month of 2018, showing that companies are still hungry to hire more than eight years after an economic expansion began. Even better, worker pay also rose at the fastest yearly pace since 2009. The increase in hiring exceeded Wall Street’s forecast. Economists polled by MarketWatch had